50 Best Cocktail Bars in Columbus

“Food is good, though it is the only place I know where you have to sit at a high top or a bar stool to get discounts on appetizes during happy hour. Not everyone can sit on a high seat.“

“Great old school jazz venue!“

“Nitro ‘Spro and spirit of the sky are 10/10. Staff so kind and nice. Awesome vibes to catch up with friends and have a drink. Very clean bathroom. Awesome happy hour!!! Owner super personal and friendly! Would come here again and again and again!!! Wish I would’ve found this place earlier!!!“

“A hidden gem in Columbus for the more relaxed and refined folk looking to have a chill night out. The Denmark offers a great European atmosphere, located on the 2nd floor of a building just across from the convention center. The large windows, low lighting, and casual seating arrangements all set the mood for great conversation amongst peers and intellectual discussions about the various oddities of life.

There aren’t many food options but this place is great with its cocktails. I think there’s always something for everyone, their menu regularly rotates through new unique drinks but has a good repertoire of their classics; The Elderflower Paloma and Mango Daiquiri are particularly exquisite. To my knowledge it’s only run by three guys, which means service will be a little lacking at times, but they’re all great bartenders and have a sweet personality behind their gruff exteriors. They’re just a trio, cut them some slack.

Theres chess sets, self serve water and various card and board games you can pull out from their selections which is complemented by the modern decor to make this place a routine stop for me when I’m out and about downtown. The only negative thing I have to say is that this place is usually very sparse and not as full as I would like it to be, highly recommend more people check it out and make it a regular stop for their nights out as well.“

“I ordered a gift card as a birthday present and there was a mix up (my end) in which they went over and above to correct for me. We don't live in Columbus but I can certainly see why my kids LOVE LawBird and their staff. We'll certainly make it a point to stop in on our next visit down.“

“Had a great evening. Fabulous food and service. Will be back soon.“

“Oh how could I NOT recommend?! From creative, always changing cocktails and mocktails, I can choose to drink or stay sober EASILY. There are SO MANY fun events here. From painting, poetry, music, karaoke, trivia, ect. It is a bar that can be completely family friendly if you have children. It's like walking into a magical place where you are immediately accepted and loved.“

“Okay, so last semester I was going to Columbus State and I discovered this neatly kept, hidden away gem of excellence. I tried the fish tacos. Unfortunately this semester they did not have them on the menu. (I know! Womp, womp, womp!!!) But I found something else that'll take your appreciation for your taste buds to the next level!!! So I chose the Blackened Salmon Club. My oh my, was it delicious!!! I also had the french fries (delicious), the asparagus (fresh), and the house salad. All blew my expectations away. I love the way this restaurant sits on Cleveland avenue in Mitchell Hall very unexpected. Also the natural lighting just sets a unique ambience for not only dinner dates business means branches and lunches but also just a great stop in to get a drink. Extremely pleasant and helpful and informative staff wonderful smiles who do not hesitate to provide very hospitable accommodations. A must visit.“

“Hosted a Birthday/Retirement Sing Along Karaoke Party for us. Yes it was all of the above, Nebbie and crew made it the most wonderful and memorable night. Everyone had a great time and all I had to do was show up 🥳 Great easy location for people to get to. Food was very good and served quickly, which was great for a large party. 🎉 I highly recommend as a great venue for fun events.“

“Had the best time at the downtown Columbus location last weekend for Valentine’s Day! Highly recommend, Kiiya and Savanna and crew made our night special. 10 out of 10, no notes!“

“Love this place. What a hidden gem. Tracked in down on a recommendation from a friend, and glad I did. Bohemian with a hip, homey vibe. If I lived in Columbus, this would be my hangout.“

“"Be Nice To Each Other" -Sheila Ann SteuberHometown atmosphere with down to earth people. Relaxing and entertaining, known to many as the local Cheers! Everyone knows your name and are happy to see you! My mother loved this place and its owner until the day she died. May the wind always be at your back, may the sun always shine down upon your face, and may the wings of destiny carry you off to see the stars.“

“A great place to watch a game! The beer was cold, plenty of TVs and I enjoyed the crowd! We had the wings and they were delicious! The service was fast and efficient. The staff seemed super happy and it showed! We also found Renie’s to be very clean! This will be my new hangout for Sunday football! A hidden gem!“

“Such an interesting concept and even more thoughtfully executed. It really is a unique little bar that is built around a fun atmosphere for guests. The staff is also extremely nice and knowledgeable. I got an alcoholic slushies and got to sit next to a porthole I'm not sure many people get to say that's something they've experienced in their life so on experience alone 5/5 and once you add in that the drink I had was also immaculate I wish I could rate them higher ☺️“

“This is a really nice place. We enjoy that it is attached to Donatos pizza, so it smells heavenly in here. Nice drink selection. Clean restrooms. They also have a really nice patio out front. They lady working the night of October 17th 2025, was really sweet & kind. I forgot to get her name.“

“The ambiance of the pub is nice; things are kept clean and pleasant and the lighting is good. However, based on the name you may be under the impression that there is a DnD theme or a English / Irish / Scots influence. There is none. Rather, it's the most upscale you can get a hole in the wall bar to be before you'd end up scaring off the real down and out alcoholics and instead servicing yuppies who know to stop before a third shot. It's the nicest it can get before it transitions from dive to faux-dive.“

“We always try to make it fit the holiday pop-up at Citizens Trust. Drinks are fun and very festive, decorations are glittery and gleaming! Always a fun time with friends!“

“My go-to for decompressing after a hard day at work, they have a wide variety of both alcoholic and nonalcoholic cocktails that tadre great and all the staff are very tolerant and understanding of all walks of life, making it a very inclusive space to be in“

“We are from Kentucky and were in Columbus for a concert. I’ve always wanted to try a place that has been featured on Triple D, and this was the best decision ever! High Bank exceeded all expectations! We left with a full belly and A bottle of whiskey to remember them by. Food was incredible. Service was incredible. From now on, every trip to Columbus will include a stop at High Bank Distillery!“

“Fantastic dishes. The quesadilla starter is phenomenal. The wild boar sloppy Joe and the octopus are really well prepared as well. Cannot go wrong!“

“Visited to kick off my birthday weekend celebrations and started with the distillery tour. It was a great time and the tour guide was very knowledgeable and hilarious! Our group enjoyed her so much!!! The bartenders made some great drinks and the vibe was very chill. This place is definitely a hidden gem.“

“simply the best plant based restaurant in the country and probably the world. This is the spot my wife and I go for all of our special occasions even though we live in Indianapolis.“

“Great food and karaoke Saturdays are so fun!! You have to have a Mezcal shot at casa mezcal lol!!“

“Went to Taj on Fifth last night and OMG — the service, the atmosphere & the food were spectacular! The Lamb Chops, Kale Chaat, and Spicy Margaritas were next level and don’t get me started on the dessert. Truly exceptional! 🔥 🍸“

“I am visiting from Boston and just happen to spontaneously tour the Ohio Statehouse. Here, I lunched at HouseTaco which locates inside the Statehouse itself. The food is quick and fresh. Chef Zach prepared the tacos on-site with passion. They were delicious! What a hidden gem!!!“

“We went for Valentine’s Day and it was very nice! Definitely perfect for a special occasion. We got the bread, king crab pasta, and lasagna rotolo. We finished with the tiramisu. Everything was great and service was exceptional. They also gave us some chocolates for Valentine’s Day. I thought they could’ve had more options as far as cocktails but actually super enjoyed the margarita. We had a great time!“

“Not sure how this doesn't have five stars across the board. We drove from almost ten hours away and after scouring places to eat we decided to stop here. The crust is crisp, not soggy or tough with good flavor and thickness. You can't go wrong with fresh ingredients like the mozzarella and mushrooms (fresh not canned, wowee!) either. We also tried Gina's Gem and between the beautiful focaccia and the dip being creamy while also sweet with a small back burn to it, you really can't go wrong. The bar is a great place to sit, no spoilers, but the walls and shelves are filled with awesome and hilarious things that make good conversation. It's a shame this wonderful place is so far from home but we're hoping to make it a yearly tradition. Thanks for the great food, staff, and atmosphere!“

“I’ve never had a bad time at Eight and Sand. The food is beyond impressive and it is reasonably priced. You will not catch me missing the $1 wings every Tuesday and the veggie wrap is incredible. Don’t sleep on the weekly food specials they are always a tasty little surprise! Friendly outgoing staff all around, an awesome patio, and a chill vibe inside. It’s my very favorite bar, there isn’t another like it!“

“We love coming here! They have great food, great margaritas, and the staff is wonderful. The service is very quick, but doesn't sacrifice quality meals. Great place for a family dinner or happy hour with friends. They brough back the margarita flight so you don't have to choose just one flavor to try!“

“The sweet potato crockpot.“

“Garret was great! Recommend a Gran Classico and I loved it!“

“Amazing birthday dinner.. I ordered twin lobster tails. We split a wedge salad and bread basket. Husband had teriyaki salmon which was melt in your mouth perfection. Free birthday dessert was warm butter cake with fresh fruit, ice cream and raspberry sauce. Absolute perfection and amazing service. Thank you for a great celebration.“

“Best sours i have ever had“

“This place is incredible! The staff went above and beyond for my fiancé and I as we celebrated our engagement. This is actually where he first asked me to be his girlfriend, and he later planned our post-proposal dinner here as well. Both times, the staff truly went out of their way to make us feel special and help us celebrate. On top of that, food is amazing, service is top notch. Highly recommend!“

“It is located in a vibrant area! Very fun and nice inside. Theres also a bar in the back!

The food was so good. I ordered myself cheese bread, a 12 inch pizza, and a cookie.

If I ordered again I would just get the cheese bread and cookie because I ate the whole cheese bread and don’t have room for the pizza! The cheese bread is the size of a 12 inch pizza! The garlic in it was so good and I had the garlic dip. Truly amazing!

I would 100% recommend the chocolate chip cookie! Ask for it warmed and it makes it all the better!“

“🍷 Growing up in Italy, I’m naturally a little picky when it comes to Italian food, but Forno Kitchen + Bar has become one of my favorite spots here. I often come for their wood-fired pizza and house-made pasta, both full of authentic flavor that instantly take me back to evenings in Turin. The warm atmosphere, paired with a good glass of wine, makes every visit feel like a little taste of home“

“Great food , great service clean fun . Hard send“

“There was amazing service, it was fast and the waiter was amazing. They were pretty busy when we got here but got seated right away as well as our food was fast and tasted amazing. Definitely a favorite and will come agin“

“There is a lot of average Indian food out there but Rooh is on another level. It is one that we have only experience at restaurants like Deshoom in London. The hostess was so wonderful her personality is the best way to walk into a restaurant. The wait staff was perfection and unlike so many restaurants nowadays the pacing of the 3 course meal for restaurant week was perfection. Each course more tasty and beautifully prepared than the next. We don’t come to Columbus often but I would consider coming back just to eat here, and we will for sure be back next time we are in town. I just wish we would have Indian food this good anywhere near where we live. This place is a gem.“

“Fantastic food and service. Top notch - if your in Columbus this restaurant is a must.“

“very elegant, stunning views, reasonable prices for the luxury you get“

“Wonderful experience and great atmosphere“

“We had a delightful Christmas Eve dinner with appetizers and three different entrees. The gnocchi was absolutely delicious and our favorite! The sauce was wonderful!“

“Bodega is one of those places that knows exactly what it is and leans into it. A low-key, no-frills neighborhood dive with just enough charm to make you want to hang out longer than you planned.

The funnel cake fries are the real surprise hit. Crispy, fluffy, perfectly dusted with sugar and dangerously easy to keep eating. I honestly came in for a drink and left thinking about those fries.

Huge shoutout to Salim behind the bar. Super friendly, attentive, and bringing just the right mix of smooth and playful energy that makes you feel welcome the moment you sit down. He made the whole experience better.

Bodega may not be trying to be fancy, and that’s part of its appeal. It’s a relaxed, easygoing spot with good vibes, great service, and snacks that punch way above their weight.

Would come back, especially for those funnel cake fries and Salim’s hospitality.“

“Had dinner at Speck Italian Eatery before heading to Yours Truly: A Night of Jazz + R&B and it was the perfect start to the night. The ambiance was such a cute vibe — cozy, stylish, and perfect for a downtown dinner date or girls night out. I sat at the bar and the service was amazing from the moment I walked in. My server was prompt, attentive, and made sure everything came out quickly since I was headed to a show nearby.

The food was super fresh and absolutely delicious. I had the focaccia bread, sausage ragu, and potatoes, and every single item hit. The focaccia was warm and soft with the perfect olive oil dip, the sausage ragu was rich and flavorful, and those potatoes were crispy, cheesy, and addicting.

If you’re going to an event at The Citizens Trust, this is honestly such a great dinner spot because it’s so close to the venue. Definitely adding this place to my downtown Columbus favorites.“

“Always a lovely experience. This place provides a place for the community to gather and share their love of a variety of music. I usually go to their monthly hosting of the Central Ohio Hot Jazz Society's jam session where SwingColumbus teaches a dance lesson at the beginning and then the floor is open for dancing. It has been a staple for jazz lovers and certainly for our dance scene. We're hoping the next owners do the business justice. Maybe they can fix up the floor so it can be an even better dance space.“

“Coffee is top notch! Drinks including turtleneck/gold chain and espresso martini equally as great! A new fav spot for my husband and I to chill.“

“Beautiful dining area! Having a great evening.“

“A really cute spot we just stumbled up a few months ago and just recently went back. They make some really awesome cocktails and have pretty much all the classics you would expect along with a solid selection of beer. Honestly its just a hella cute bar, nice little patio with a fire pit and really awesome inside with exposed bricks and a lot of plants and retro decor everywhere. Wish I found this spot sooner!“

“Amaaaazing food, great ownership! Very happy this place opened and hope to see it succeed! Definitely recommend Sunday brunch! And Weds $1 wings!!! I hope they do one get some mimosa specials! And look forward to having a fun birthday party!“